Welcome to the kNOw RISK Podcast, powered by CS Medical and hosted by Jill Holdsworth, Medical Affairs Manager and Infection Preventionist. kNOw RISK features conversations with healthcare experts focused on infection prevention, patient safety, education, and safer reprocessing practices.

In this episode, “Beyond the Background: The Future of Infection Prevention,” Jill is joined by Ivan Gowe to discuss how different professional and educational backgrounds strengthen infection prevention teams and support patient safety.

The conversation explores the many pathways into infection prevention, the perspectives different disciplines bring, and the barriers professionals may face when entering the field from a non-nursing background. Drawing on Ivan’s laboratory background, Jill and Ivan discuss how teams benefit from complementary skills, experiences, and approaches to problem-solving.

Jill and Ivan also examine workforce shortages, hiring practices, and why evaluating competency, experience, and practical skills matters when building an infection prevention team. The discussion highlights the contributions of nurses, laboratory professionals, microbiologists, public health professionals, sterile processing experts, epidemiologists, and others who share a commitment to protecting patients.

The episode offers practical ideas for recruiting talent, strengthening team culture, and mentoring professionals whose paths into infection prevention may look different from our own. Whether you are a healthcare leader, an experienced infection preventionist, or someone considering a career in the field, this conversation encourages a broader view of the expertise needed to move infection prevention forward.

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Welcome to the kNOw RISK podcast, powered by CS Medical and hosted by Jill Holdsworth, Medical Affairs Manager and Infection Preventionist.

kNOw RISK features conversations with healthcare experts focused on infection prevention, patient safety, education, and safer reprocessing practices.

In this episode, Jill is joined by Malinda Elammari, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, CST, CEO and founder of Crown Point Consulting, to discuss the important role packaging, wraps, and container systems play in protecting reusable medical devices throughout the reprocessing cycle.

The conversation explores why infection preventionists should pay close attention to packaging and wrapping practices, common issues to look for during rounds, and environmental factors that can compromise sterile packaging.

Jill and Malinda also discuss the differences between woven and nonwoven wraps, the advantages and challenges of rigid container systems, maintenance requirements, tray weight, and why a package that appears intact may still present a sterility concern.

The discussion also examines how storage and transport practices can impact reprocessed devices, including how improper handling can recontaminate an ultrasound probe after disinfection, as well as packaging-related findings healthcare teams should be prepared to identify and address.

Malinda Elammari is the CEO and founder of Crown Point Consulting and has extensive experience in sterile processing, surgical technology, education, quality, and clinical operations. She serves on the AAMI Publications Editorial Board and multiple national standards-writing committees, including co-chair roles for ISO/WG7 Packaging and WG44 Dental. Malinda is also president of the North Carolina HSPA chapter and holds certifications in sterile processing, surgical technology, and infection control.

Take your learning beyond the episode. Log in to the CS Medical Continuing Education Portal, or create an account, to complete a short quiz and earn HSPA continuing education credit for this episode.

Access the CE Portal: https://csmedicalllc.com/login

Learn More and Connect with CS Medical

Website: https://www.csmedicalllc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-medical-llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csmedicalllc

X: https://x.com/CSMedicalLLC

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@know.risk.podcast

Subscribe to the kNOw RISK podcast and follow CS Medical to stay connected and receive updates about future episodes.

Reprocessing Education: Past, Present and Future Featuring Dr. Brandon M. Gantt

Welcome to the kNOw RISK podcast, powered by CS Medical and hosted by Jill Holdsworth, Medical Affairs Manager and Infection Preventionist.

kNOw RISK features conversations with healthcare experts focused on infection prevention, patient safety, education, and safer reprocessing practices.

In this episode, Jill is joined by Dr. Brandon M. Gantt to discuss how reprocessing education has evolved and what healthcare teams can do to improve training and competency validation.

The conversation explores adult learning, ongoing education, knowledge retention, and common training challenges in sterile processing, radiology, and other areas responsible for reusable medical device reprocessing.

Dr. Brandon M. Gantt, DHSc, MHA, is a healthcare educator, researcher, and quality professional whose work focuses on healthcare leadership, workforce development, patient safety, implementation science, and adult learning. He has published in the American Journal of Infection Control and Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology and contributes to initiatives that improve healthcare systems, professional development, and organizational performance.

Take your learning beyond the episode. Log in to the CS Medical Continuing Education Portal, or create an account, to complete a short quiz and earn HSPA continuing education credit for this episode.

Access the CE Portal: https://csmedicalllc.com/login

Learn More and Connect with CS Medical

Website: https://www.csmedicalllc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cs-medical-llc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csmedicalllc

X: https://x.com/CSMedicalLLC

Subscribe to the kNOw RISK podcast and follow CS Medical to stay connected and receive updates about future episodes.